Medavie Blue Cross launches Connected Care digital health platform to help people access resources to manage their health when and where they need it
Partners with leading digital health providers like Maple to offer plan members convenient access and preferred pricing to virtual health care services
TORONTO, Oct. 7, 2019 /CNW/ - Medavie Blue Cross today announced the launch of Connected Care, a new digital health platform that gives plan members greater flexibility and access to innovative offerings, new virtual health care services and additional self-service options to help them get more from their benefit plan.
In a recent survey by the Canadian Medical Association, nearly three-quarters of respondents said virtual care would improve access to more timely treatment and over 60 per cent said it will lead to better overall health care.1 However, recent research has found only six per cent of Canadians can see their own physician via virtual care.2
Available through the mobile app and online through the Medavie Blue Cross member services site, Connected Care creates accessible virtual opportunities to connect directly with Canadian doctors through a newly-formed partnership with Maple, Canada's leading virtual care provider. Members will also be able to order personalized pharmacogenetic testing and engage a professional for Internet-enabled cognitive behavioural therapy (iCBT).
"Innovation is expected in our industry, but introducing unique member programs that improve the quality of our health care service offerings remains a true differentiator," said Shane Reid, Director, Product, Pharmacy, and Provider Management. "Connected Care offers convenient access and preferred pricing to leading online health care providers and services, so members can access the care they want, when they need it, from anywhere. Our partners were chosen after careful review of the options available to ensure the best possible service, security and value for members."
Connected Care allows easy-access to quality virtual health care services, including:
Online Doctors: Studies show that up to 70 per cent of ER and clinic visits can be replaced by virtual consultations without any impact on quality of care.3 As part of its new partnership with Maple, Medavie Blue Cross plan members will receive 24/7 on-demand access to doctors by secure text or video for advice, diagnosis and prescriptions, at a preferred price. Members can skip the waiting room and talk with a physician within minutes, anytime, anywhere.
Personalized Medicine: In a recent survey of private health benefit plans, 74 per cent of plan members would consent to giving their DNA to help their physician better prescribe their medication.4Connected Care offers preferred pricing for members interested in exploring pharmacogenetic testing through Pillcheck by GeneYouIn, a genomics-guided personalized medication management service that helps people and their treating physicians understand how genetic makeup and metabolism impacts response to different medications.
Digital Therapy: The impacts of untreated mental illness in the workplace are great, yet, with excessive wait times and other barriers, two in three of those facing mental health issues do not access help largely due to stigma.5 Based on plan design, Connected Care reduces barriers and offers access to therapy from Beacon and Morneau Shepell whose accredited professionals, recognized as leaders in iCBT, work with the member by phone and text.
"As the only provider in Canada who can connect patients to doctors in minutes, day or night, we're empowering Canadians to more proactively manage their health," says Dr Brett Belchetz, CEO and Co-founder of Maple. "Working with innovative partners like Medavie Blue Cross is helping to expand access to these essential services, that aren't yet covered at the provincial level, enhancing preventative medicine across the country."
To learn more about Connected Care, plan members and their families can visit the Medavie mobile app or medaviebc.ca/connectedcare.
About Medavie Blue Cross
Medavie Blue Cross is a premier all-in-one carrier that provides health, dental, travel, life and disability benefits, and administers various federal and provincial government-sponsored health programs. Together with Medavie Health Services, we are part of Medavie, a health solutions partner committed to improving the wellbeing of Canadians.
We are one of Canada's Most Admired Corporate Cultures and recognized as an Imagine Canada Caring Company. As a not-for-profit organization, we are proud to commit an annual social dividend to the Medavie Health Foundation to support programs and initiatives aimed at addressing some of our country's most pressing physical and mental health care challenges.
About Maple
Maple is a technology platform that tackles some of the world's most meaningful issues in healthcare, starting with timely and convenient access to doctors and other healthcare providers. It allows patients to connect directly with doctors for medical care in minutes from their smartphone or computer 24/7/365, and also provides custom technology solutions for hospitals and clinics seeking to advance their delivery of care. Learn more at getmaple.ca.
Game on! Commonwealth steps up battle on climate change with regenerative solutions model
24 September 2019For immediate releaseThe Commonwealth has launched a regenerative climate change model that marries the ancient wisdom of indigenous groups with emerging innovations, technologies and scientific approaches. Common Earth, is the programme that will create a network of projects that could be replicated and adapted to any community, country or region. Government officials, environmentalists, scientists, economists, and representatives from indigenous groups from around the Commonwealth met at the organisation’s headquarters in London to discuss how the initiative can achieve sustainable development whilst protecting the planet. “It is not game over in the battle against climate change its game on,” said Secretary-General Patricia Scotland. “Because this about looking at practical, existing strategies to clean streams, restore forests and damaged ecosystems, protect marine health, educate our populations and challenge the economic and development approaches that led to the decline of our planet. “It is about a development model that takes into account the ancient wisdom of the indigenous peoples that found a way to live in harmony with their environments, and integrates it into our scientific advances and solutions to climate change. And it is a model I will take to ministers in our upcoming trade and finance summits and heads of governments at their meeting next year.” Common Earth, she added, will be based on regenerative economic models. Economist Stuart Cowan explained how these types of economies will work. “When we talk about regenerative economies we are looking at cycles of growth transformation,” he said. “We are looking for ways to bring ecological systems back into full health and blossoming, and figuring out how our economies can meet all our needs, while nature flourishes. “So as we think about climate change the health of living systems is critically important. The way we use our land, grow our food and design our cities and transportation systems can reduce carbon emissions rapidly and efficiently. The Common Earth project will be hinged on the activities of five working groups:the 'Commonwealth Small State, Climate Change Blue-Green Trade Working Group';the 'Gender and Climate Change Working Group'; the 'Indigenous Affairs Working Group'; the 'Waters Prosperity Working Group'; the 'Regenerative Finance Working Group’.Nichie Abo a member and former chairman of the Tribal Council for the Kalinago Indians in Dominica described the conference as important in providing solutions to climate change. He described the Kalinago Global Resilience projects which have created approaches to building infrastructure and farming that can help to protect, preserve and restore natural resources. He said, “The Kalinago way is simple, it is not materialistic, not extractive, it has respect for the earth and the entire environment and we view ourselves as one element in the circle of life. What has brought us to this point is that we are not spiritually connected to the earth. And this indigenous philosophy is what the world is now returning to because Western societies have recognised, and science has proven the benefits of the indigenous way of life.” Rola Khoury, CEO of the Common Earth implementation partner the Cloudburst Foundation, said: “The Common Earth Commonwealth Regenerative Development Convening was an unprecedented meeting between scientists, regenerative and drawdown practitioners, and diverse communities including many youth and indigenous peoples who came to discuss the importance of integrated climate action to restore ecosystems and communities. In addition to delivering pilot projects from Belize, Kalinago, New Zealand, and Kiribati delegates formed five working groups on blue green trade, indigenous affairs, regenerative finance and gender and climate change. All participants agreed to take coordinated action on regeneration in their regions and to deliver new projects including the Global Common Earth Network.”
Scotiabank Supports Employee Mental and Emotional Wellbeing
Scotiabank adds two additional paid personal days for all eligible Canadian employees ahead of World Mental Health Day
TORONTO, Oct. 7, 2019 /CNW/ - Scotiabank is adding two additional paid personal days for eligible Canadian employees in support of mental health and broader wellbeing.
"Our people are our most important asset, and their wellbeing is a top priority for Scotiabank," says Barbara Mason, Chief Human Resources Officer. "We strongly believe that by offering employees greater flexibility to take time off to achieve greater work-life balance, our employee population will be healthier and happier, and therefore enabled to perform at their very best."
Eligible employees in Canada, beginning on January 1st, will have access to five paid personal days with the flexibility to take them as they see fit, in addition to their current sick time and vacation entitlements. "Research also tells us increased flexibility and paid personal time off are correlated to reduced absenteeism and increased productivity and engagement," added Dominic Cole-Morgan, SVP Total Rewards.
In addition, Scotiabank provides Canadian employees and their families with $3,000 a year in mental health coverage, to use for services such as psychologists, psychotherapists, family therapists and marriage counselors, at no cost to the employee. On World Mental Health Day, Scotiabank will be hosting a wellness trade show for its employees in Toronto along with other resources, including webinars on a number of mental-health topics.
About Scotiabank Scotiabank is Canada's international bank and a leading financial services provider in the Americas. We are dedicated to helping our more than 25 million customers become better off through a broad range of advice, products and services, including personal and commercial banking, wealth management and private banking, corporate and investment banking, and capital markets. With a team of more than 100,000 employees and assets of over $1 trillion (as at July 31, 2019), Scotiabank trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: BNS) and New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: BNS). For more information, please visit www.scotiabank.com and follow us on Twitter @ScotiabankViews.
SOURCE Scotiabank
Boston Marathon Survivor Finds Relief from PTSD
Accelerated Resolution Therapy offers hope on National PTSD Awareness Day
Here's an inspiring story about a Rebekah Gregory, a Boston Marathon survivor from Orlando, as we approach World Mental Health Day, October 10.
Rebekah Gregory’s 5-year-old son was getting restless the crowd at the finish line of the Boston Marathon in 2013. Sit down on my feet and play with the rocks, she told him.
It might be the best advice she ever gave them. Moments later, a bomb exploded three feet away from the pair, shattering Gregory’s legs. The boy, protected by his mother’s body, suffered only minor injuries.
Although Gregory was grateful that her son was spared by the blast, her battle was just beginning. She spent nearly two months in the hospital and underwent 68 surgeries over the next several years. Doctors were initially optimistic that they could save both of her legs, but ultimately were forced to amputate her left leg.
It was not the first time that Gregory has experienced trauma. She had witnessed domestic violence firsthand as a child. And several months before the bombing, she had been held up at gunpoint in a shopping center parking lot.
The now-32-year-old committed herself to getting better for her son’s sake. In addition to her grueling physical therapy regimen, she sought counseling to process the traumatic experiences. And she created a nonprofit, Rebekah’s Angels, to help young trauma survivors.
Yet Gregory was still haunted by sights and sounds of the bombing. “I had tried traditional styles of therapy and while I was learning to cope and manage my symptoms, I wasn’t healing from them,” she said.
Gregory tried Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), a technique that helps clients effectively create a new ending for traumatic memories. Unlike traditional talk therapy, ART helps most people experience a partial or complete reduction in the physical and psychological symptoms of trauma in just one to five sessions. ART is used to treat trauma, anxiety, depression and phobias, among other conditions.
In just a few sessions, Gregory felt dramatically better. “The part that really resonated with me is that you’re rewriting the narrative of your worst experiences,” she said. “ART really helped me in areas where I didn’t realize I had residual trauma.”
This year, Gregory was able to return to the marathon without experiencing anxiety. ART helped her put the horrific events behind her. “I can talk about my experiences in a different way now because the trauma isn’t there,” she said.
Through her foundation, Gregory is helping children and families discover ways of recovering from trauma. “I want to use our experiences to make it clear that people can heal,” she said.
Rebekah will be available for a limited number of phone and in-person interviews. If you are interested in interviewing Rebekah, speaking with an ART clinician or Kelly Breeding, executive director of ART International, please contact Julie Scharper with Sandy Hillman Communications, jscharper@hillmanpr.com.
CANADIANS WITH INFLAMMATORY CONDITIONS SOUGHT FOR TWO SURVEYS
VANCOUVER, BC (October 7, 2019) – Two of Canada’s leading patient groups, the Gastrointestinal Society and the Canadian Society of Intestinal Research (CSIR), are calling on patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) to participate in a survey to help them identify what’s missing in their care. They are also asking Canadian patients with any inflammatory condition who take biologic/biosimilar medication to provide their opinions.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
The first survey, IBD Patients: What's Missing in Your Care?, seeks to learn more about IBD patients’ experiences and their outlook in current management. The survey, which is available in English and French, follows a similar questionnaire conducted in 2018, but this time is open to IBD patients worldwide in order to collect a larger and more diverse body of information about the IBD patient community. Participants must have been diagnosed with any type of IBD (Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, ulcerative proctitis, microscopic colitis, etc.).
Use of biologic/biosimilar medications for inflammatory diseases
The second survey, the Canadian Biosimilar Medication Experience, explores the experiences and outlook of Canadian patients who use biologic/biosimilar medications to treat inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis), as well as other inflammation causing diseases such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, osteoporosis, psoriasis, HIV, multiple sclerosis, or growth deficiencies. This is following up on a survey conducted in 2015.
“Healthcare is an ever-changing space of innovation and variation,” said Gail Attara, president and CEO, Gastrointestinal Society. “As the Canadian leaders in providing trusted, evidence-based information on all areas of the gastrointestinal tract, the GI Society and the CSIR seek to balance health policy with real world evidence and ensure that the patient voice is the prime focus. That’s why we urge all individuals who are living with IBD to participate in our global survey and Canadian patients with inflammatory conditions of any kind to complete the biosimilar survey.”
Data gathered from both surveys will be used anonymously and in aggregate to shape future programming and to inform discussions with community members, healthcare professionals, and health policy decision-makers.
“Gastrointestinal conditions affect as many as sixty percent of the population at some point in their lives,” added Attara, “and the GI Society has a vast collection of trusted, medically-sound information covering topics from gum to bum on badgut.org.”
About the Canadian Society of Intestinal Research and Gastrointestinal Society:
The Gastrointestinal Society and the Canadian Society of Intestinal Research (CSIR) represent gastrointestinal (GI) patients on a variety of healthcare fronts, including health policy. The Canadian Society of Intestinal Research (CSIR) is a registered charity established in 1976. It arose as the first patient group in Canada to enhance public awareness on a wide array of gastrointestinal and liver diseases and disorders by providing patient and professional information, as well as funding for medical research. The Gastrointestinal Society is a registered charity committed to improving the lives of people with gastrointestinal and liver conditions, supporting research, advocating for appropriate patient access to healthcare, and promoting gastrointestinal and liver health. CSIR works closely with the GI Society to provide a number of core programs and services that focus on providing Canadians with trusted medically sound information on digestive health. For more information about the GI Society and CSIR, visit www.badgut.org |www.mauxdeventre.org.
Canadians with Inflammatory conditions sought for two surveys
VANCOUVER, Oct. 7, 2019 /CNW/ -Two of Canada's leading patient groups, the Gastrointestinal Society and the Canadian Society of Intestinal Research (CSIR), are calling on patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) to participate in a survey to help them identify what's missing in their care. They are also asking Canadian patients with any inflammatory condition who take biologic/biosimilar medication to provide their opinions.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease The first survey, IBD Patients: What's Missing in Your Care?, seeks to learn more about IBD patients' experiences and their outlook in current management. The survey, which is available in English and French, follows a similar questionnaire conducted in 2018, but this time is open to IBD patients worldwide in order to collect a larger and more diverse body of information about the IBD patient community. Participants must have been diagnosed with any type of IBD (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, ulcerative proctitis, microscopic colitis, etc.).
Use of biologic/biosimilar medications for inflammatory diseases The second survey, the Canadian Biosimilar Medication Experience, explores the experiences and outlook of Canadian patients who use biologic/biosimilar medications to treat inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis), as well as other inflammation causing diseases such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, osteoporosis, psoriasis, HIV, multiple sclerosis, or growth deficiencies. This is following up on a survey conducted in 2015.
"Healthcare is an ever-changing space of innovation and variation," said Gail Attara, president and CEO, Gastrointestinal Society. "As the Canadian leaders in providing trusted, evidence-based information on all areas of the gastrointestinal tract, the GI Society and the CSIR seek to balance health policy with real world evidence and ensure that the patient voice is the prime focus. That's why we urge all individuals who are living with IBD to participate in our global survey and Canadian patients with inflammatory conditions of any kind to complete the biosimilar survey."
Data gathered from both surveys will be used anonymously and in aggregate to shape future programming and to inform discussions with community members, healthcare professionals, and health policy decision-makers.
"Gastrointestinal conditions affect as many as sixty percent of the population at some point in their lives," added Attara, "and the GI Society has a vast collection of trusted, medically-sound information covering topics from gum to bum on badgut.org."
About the Canadian Society of Intestinal Research and Gastrointestinal Society: The Gastrointestinal Society and the Canadian Society of Intestinal Research (CSIR) represent gastrointestinal (GI) patients on a variety of healthcare fronts, including health policy. The Canadian Society of Intestinal Research (CSIR) is a registered charity established in 1976. It arose as the first patient group in Canada to enhance public awareness on a wide array of gastrointestinal and liver diseases and disorders by providing patient and professional information, as well as funding for medical research. The Gastrointestinal Society is a registered charity committed to improving the lives of people with gastrointestinal and liver conditions, supporting research, advocating for appropriate patient access to healthcare, and promoting gastrointestinal and liver health. CSIR works closely with the GI Society to provide a number of core programs and services that focus on providing Canadians with trusted medically sound information on digestive health. For more information about the GI Society and CSIR, visit www.badgut.org | www.mauxdeventre.org.
SOURCE Gastrointestinal Society
OMA Urges Ontarians to Support Mental Illness Awareness Week
TORONTO, Oct. 7, 2019 /CNW/ - Mental illness can strike any one of us at any time. No one is immune.
During Mental Illness Awareness Week, every Ontarian should take the time to understand mental illness and help reduce the stigma surrounding it.
As doctors, we see patients every day who are living with mental illness. And all of us – whether we know it or not – have friends and loved ones who are affected. There are still too many people experiencing mental illness who keep it to themselves and try to manage on their own. This needn't happen because help is available.
"On behalf of Ontario's doctors, I say to everyone, young and old, that if you are experiencing signs of mental illness or are concerned about a loved one, please reach out to your family doctor," said Dr. Sohail Gandhi, President of the OMA. "We are here to help with supports, advice and treatment options. No one of us needs to meet this challenge on our own."
The Ontario Medical Association is a membership organization that represents the political, clinical and economic interests of doctors in Ontario. Our 41,000 members are practicing and retired doctors, residents and medical students.
SOURCE Ontario Medical Association
COPPER BRANCH INTRODUCES ITS ‘LET’S BEAT BREAST CANCER’ CAMPAIGN
The world’s largest plant-based restaurant chain will donate a portion of its sales to promote cancer prevention education in partnership with the PCRM
(October 3, 2019 – Montreal, QC)
For the entire month of October, Copper Branch, the largest 100% plant-based restaurant chain in the world, will donate a portion of the sales of its popular Organic Beet Hummus dish to support nutrition education and help reduce the risk of breast cancer to coincide with October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The company, which operates over 65 locations around the world, will be working with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine to raise money for breast cancer nutrition education and prevention. Further information on PCRM’s Let’s Beat Breast Cancer campaign can be found here
The importance of eating a balanced, healthy diet as it relates to preventing breast cancer cannot be overstated. Dr. Kristi Funk, Co-Founder of Pink Lotus Breast Center in Los Angeles states, “The healthiest meals are plant-based, low fat, and high fiber: an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables, 100% whole grains like brown rice and oats, non-animal proteins such as lentils, beans, and soy.” Copper Branch’s menu features 100% plant-based menu items which are never fried and consist of mainly organic and non-GMO ingredients.
Eating right is a philosophy that has been at the core of Copper Branch’s goal to bring healthy, delicious food to the masses since its inception in 2016. Rio Infantino, CEO of Copper Branch, explains, “Our mission has always been to empower, energize and make people feel their best. We are honored to work with these wonderful organizations to help combat breast cancer”.
According to Canada.ca, more than 26,000 Canadian women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lives and 5,000 will die from the disease. Breast cancer accounts for approximately 26% of all new cases of cancer in the country and in the United States roughly 1 of 8 women will battle breast cancer sometime in their lives.
Mr. Infantino adds, “We picked our Organic Beet Hummus because the rich red color of beets actually comes from the cancer-fighting antioxidant Betalain, which starves tumors and hinders cell division.
The campaign will run through the end of October at Copper Branch locations in Canada.
card, a portion of your order is directly donated to making youa h
ABOUT COPPER BRANCH
Started in 2014 and headquartered in Montreal, Copper Branch is a privately held company and holds the distinction of being the largest and fastest growing plant-based fast casual chain in the world. The company’s mission is to Empower, Energize and make people feel their Best; providing a convenient, plant-based dining experience without sacrificing taste, quality or satisfaction. The reasonably priced, 100% plant-based menu items are never fried and consist of mainly organic and non-GMO ingredients. For locations, menus and other details, visit https://www.eatcopperbranch.com/. Twitter and Instagram @copperbranch
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Rights 4 Vapers Responds to Proposed Changes to Nova Scotia's Tobacco Access Act
TORONTO, Oct. 2, 2019 /CNW/ - Canada's leading vapers' rights association, Rights 4 Vapers, today responded to proposed changes by Nova Scotia Progressive Conservative leader Tim Houston to Nova Scotia's Tobacco Access Act.
"Rights 4 Vapers is the voice of Canadian adult vapers, 98 percent of whom are former smokers. As parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, we understand the need for the Government of Nova Scotia to take action to reduce access to vaping products to youth, particularly with the news reports of vaping-related illnesses. I would also like to stress that we support fair and reasonable regulation and manufacturing standards to ensure consumer safety," said Professor Chris Lalonde, a leading expert on vaping and academic advisor to Rights 4 Vapers.
However, any changes to the Tobacco Access Act should also take into consideration the thousands of adult smokers who have chosen vaping as a way to quit smoking and reduce their risk of the particular health problems smoking will cause.
An essential factor in a smoker's decision to transition to vaping is taste. The flavoured vaping products give smokers a reason to move away from the burnt-tobacco taste of cigarettes. Flavours must remain available.
The role of flavours is something that adult vapers have confirmed.
In the largest survey of Canadian adult vapers, with over 4000 respondents, Rights 4 Vapers found that the clear majority of vapers use flavoured products like fruits and candy. Also, 94 percent say that they have quit smoking because of vaping and 98 percent say that they smoke less because of vaping.
"This is a good thing," said Professor Lalonde. "Why would the Government of Nova Scotia want to put barriers up to prevent smokers from moving to vaping products? There has to be a way to both prevent youth from vaping and give smokers the products that best help them to quit."
Nova Scotia is not the only province considering expanded vaping regulations. British Columbia and Alberta are also considering new regulations.
About Rights 4 Vapers Rights 4 Vapers is an organization of vaping advocates dedicated to the advancement of Canadian-based research on vaping. Dr. Chris Lalonde is an academic advisor.
SOURCE Rights 4 Vapers
Avicanna (TSX: AVCN) Announces First Commercial Sale of the Pura Earth Derma-Cosmetics line of CBD Products
Pura Earth™ derma-cosmetics expected to be available in approximately 59 retail locations throughout Colombia later this month
/NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES. ANY FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS RESTRICTION MAY CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF UNITED STATES SECURITIES LAWS/
TORONTO, Oct. 2, 2019 /CNW/ - Avicanna Inc. ("Avicanna" or the "Company") (TSX: AVCN), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development, manufacturing and commercialization of organic and sustainable plant-derived cannabinoid-based products, is pleased to announce the first completed commercial sale of its Pura Earth™ derma-cosmetics line of CBD products.
The sale was completed through Avicanna's wholly owned subsidiary, Avicanna LATAM S.A.S., to Percos S.A. ("Percos"), Avicanna's exclusive distributor of Pura Earth™ derma-cosmetics products in Colombia. The initial order from Percos included Avicanna's Anti-Aging Treatment, Anti-Aging Serum, Clear Skin Treatment and Intensive Skin Conditioning Treatment, which are expected to be available for purchase in approximately 59 retail locations throughout Colombia later this month. Avicanna expects to launch the Pura Earth™ brand in additional international jurisdictions in early 2020.
The Pura Earth™ products were produced with Avicanna's proprietary formulations using cannabidiol ("CBD") isolate extracted by the Company's majority owned subsidiary, Santa Marta Golden Hemp S.A.S. ("SMGH"), from cannabis grown and cultivated by SMGH in Santa Marta, Colombia.
"This initial commercial sale of our Pura Earth™ line of CBD products is a significant step towards validating Avicanna's vertically integrated business model and demonstrating our ability to take a product from concept, through the development stage and into the commercialization stage." stated Aras Azadian, Chief Executive Officer. "We conceptualized the Pura Earth™ brand, and then our scientists developed and optimized the final line of products, which contain CBD sourced directly from our subsidiaries, and we are now marketing these products to retailers and distributors. Most importantly, these are science based products that we have tested in human trials lead by Avicanna."
"We believe that this initial sale of Pura Earth™ products marks a significant step towards commercialization and maturity of our company as we reach our goal of building a global organization focused on the development, manufacturing and commercialization of organic and sustainable plant-derived cannabinoid-based products." concluded Mr. Azadian.
About Pura Earth™
Pura Earth™ is Avicanna's derma-cosmetic line which utilizes a combination of purified cannabidiol (CBD) and other synergistic botanical ingredients designed to naturally regulate and nourish the skin. The Pura Earth™ products are formulated with CBD cultivated under organic and sustainable conditions by Avicanna's subsidiary in Santa Marta, Colombia in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The Pura Earth™ product line was designed by Avicanna and optimized in partnership with the University of Toronto using Avicanna's proprietary formulations. The Pura Earth™ product line is manufactured by Altea Farmaceutica S.A. ("Altea") under Good Manufacturing Practices standards. In addition, Centro de Atención e Investigación Médica CAIMED S.A.S. is currently completing clinical studies on selected Pura Earth™ products in order to demonstrate their effectiveness with specific cosmetic endpoints, such as reduction of fine lines associated with aging, efficacy as a moisturizer for eczema prone skin, and reduction of sebum and redness attributed to acne.
About Avicanna
Avicanna is an Ontario corporation focused on the development, manufacturing and commercialization of plant-derived cannabinoid-based products through its two main business segments, cultivation and research and development.
Avicanna's two majority-owned subsidiaries, Sativa Nativa S.A.S. and Santa Marta Golden Hemp S.A.S., both located in Santa Marta, Colombia are the base for Avicanna's cultivation activities. These two companies are licensed to cultivate and process cannabis for the production of cannabis extracts and purified cannabinoids including cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
Avicanna's research and development business is primarily conducted out of Canada at its headquarters in the Johnson & Johnson Innovation Centre, JLABS @ Toronto. Avicanna's scientific team develops products, and Avicanna has also engaged the services of researchers at the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Toronto for the purpose of optimizing and improving upon its products.
Avicanna's research and development and cultivation activities are focused on the development of its key products, including plant-derived cannabinoid pharmaceuticals, phyto-therapeutics, derma-cosmetics and Extracts (defined as plant-derived cannabinoid extracts and purified cannabinoids, including distillates and isolates), with a goal of eventually having these products manufactured and distributed through various markets.
Stay Connected
For more information about Avicanna, visit www.avicanna.com, call 1-647-243-5283, or contact Setu Purohit, President by email info@avicanna.com.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information and Statements
Certain information in this press release contains forward-looking statements. Such statements include but are not limited to the number of retail locations at which the Pura Earth products are expected to be available and the timing for the launch of the Pura Earth products both in Colombia and internationally. This information is based on current expectations that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict, including the risk factors set out under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's long form final prospectus dated July 8, 2019. Actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. The Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, unless and until required by securities laws applicable to the Company.
SOURCE Avicanna Inc.
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